Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice)

The Swallow's family enjoy Nasi Lemak. A traditional meal of Nasi Lemak, which is also known as Coconut Rice, in Singapore is usually served during breakfast. It is accompanied by sambal (a cooked chilli paste), fried peanuts, fried anchovies , a few cucumber slices and a few slices of hard-boiled eggs. Additional dishes can be added to this and the dish eaten during lunch or dinner.

Preparing the Nasi Lemak meal at home is a process that takes some time, but the smiles on the her family's faces...priceless! The process is also made easier with the use of a rice cooker, and doing meal preparation over a few days rather than a few hours.

NASI LEMAK (COCONUT RICE) (serves 4 - 6)

Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice)

Ingredients

2 cups long grain rice
100 ml coconut cream
water
1/2 tsp salt
A bunch of pandan leaves, rinsed and tied together in a knot (optional)

Method

1. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Placed the washed rice in a rice cooker. Add the coconut cream and enough water to reach the '3 cups' mark in the rice cooker. Add salt and mix well.
2. Do not cover the pot yet. Cook the rice according to manufacturer's guidelines. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, stirring occasionally.
3. When the water is boiling, cover the lid and let the rice cook until the rice cooker switches off automatically. 
4. Once the rice cooker signals its readiness, remove the lid and fluff the rice. Return the lid and switch off the heat.

Putting it together

1. To serve, place the amount of rice to be consumed on a plate.
2. Add the sambal e.g. Sambal Tumis or Sambal Ikan Bilis.
3. Add cucumber slices.
4. Add fried peanuts, fried anchovies and hard-boiled eggs.
5. Add other optional items like fried luncheon meat, fried chicken, fried fish.

Notes

1. Sambal can be made in advanced, cooled and kept in the fridge for up to five days. Re-heat before serving it with the rice.
2. As different rice cookers may bring different results, experiment. If a different texture is preferred for the rice, adjust the water amount.
3. The amount of coconut cream added also plays a part in the end result. Adjust as needed.